April 28, 2024, 2:46 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Plugged in and done? Wrong, because there are several mistakes you can make when charging your smartphone. In the worst case, these errors can cause the battery to age and wear out faster.
Often, it’s the dwindling battery capacity that leads to smartphones being replaced. However, there are several things you can do while charging to prevent premature aging of your phone’s battery. These five tips should be followed when charging your smartphone.
Overview
1. Don’t fully discharge or charge your smartphone
To preserve your smartphone battery, avoid constantly fully discharging and then fully recharging it. Ideally, the battery should remain between 30 and 70 percent. Most batteries in current smartphones already have a feature that automatically manages this. The battery is charged only up to a certain point, about 80 percent, overnight. The remaining 20 percent is charged in the morning, just before users typically unplug the smartphone.
2. Recharge only after halfway
If the battery is charged but has been slightly used, don’t recharge immediately. As long as the battery is more than halfway charged, continue using the battery power before plugging the smartphone back in.
3. Charge your smartphone at room temperature
If the room temperature is too high or too low, it can affect the phone’s charging cycle. Therefore, charge your smartphone primarily at room temperature. The battery is at risk at temperatures above 104 and below 14 degrees Fahrenheit. You can read more about what cold does to a smartphone here:
Also interesting: Here’s how much it costs to leave the charger plugged in
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4. Don’t use the charger permanently
Once the smartphone battery is fully charged, unplug the charger. Keeping the smartphone connected with a full battery for too long can strain the battery. Additionally, it can be costly, as a charger draws power even when the battery is already charged.
5. Store the battery cool
If the smartphone won’t be used for a while, it’s better to remove and store the battery, if possible. This prevents potential deep discharge, which can damage the battery. Caution: Always store the removed battery in a cool environment. This tip mainly applies to older smartphones, as newer models typically have non-removable batteries.